Duvall man killed in small plane crash in Whatcom County

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - A Duvall man was killed when a small plane crashed in Whatcom County on Monday night, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Crews received reports of an aircraft down around 10 p.m. in an area about five miles south of Bellingham International Airport.

The Sheriff's Office said the plane had lost radio contact with air traffic control.

A U.S. Customs and Border Patrol helicopter found the wreckage in the Larabee State Park area near Chuckanut Mountain, using a signal from the plane's last known location and direction of travel.

The Sheriff's Office says initial information indicates that the aircraft plane clipped trees at the summit of Chuckanut Mountain.

The Sheriff's Office say reports from the Victoria Tower indicate the aircraft was flying at 2,000 feet and was descending at a rate of 200 feet per minute. Chuckanut Mountain has an elevation of 2,080 feet.

When firefighters arrived, they said there were trees down, but no fire.

One person, the pilot, was confirmed dead. He has been identified as 61 year old Don Stanwyck of Duvall.

The Sheriff's Office said the pilot was the only person on board.

Aerial footage from KOMO's Air 4 at the scene show that the plane shattered into pieces on impact, with wreckage scattered in the trees and on a nearby roadway.

The Sheriff's Office said according to the plane's owner, the single engine, fixed-wing plane was being flown from Paine Field in Snohomish County to Bellingham for maintenance.